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The power of saying ‘No’

‘No’ is a simple word, yet one of the most difficult things to say. It’s even tougher than saying ‘I love you’ to that special someone. Often we refrain from saying no, simply because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings, or in our mind, saying yes will built a good impression on others. However, this practice is counterproductive, and often leads to further issues. Although it’s tough, once you start saying no, you will also identify its benefits and the positive impact it has had on your work. Here’s how saying no will benefit you:

1. You can prioritise correctly: At work we are often told to prioritise to get the work done in time. However, if you find yourself doing favours for others it is unlikely that you will get your work done at all. Saying no and putting your work first will ultimately lead to better productivity.

2. You won’t feel overburdened: If you have taken too much on your plate and are struggling with it, chances are that you will soon feel completely burned out at work. Saying no helps you focus a hundred percent on your work and you won’t be stressed out trying to manage everything.

3. You will set new boundaries: How often have you felt that people tend to walk all over you? Well, that’s perhaps because you’ve never really set a limit to how much favours they can ask from you. Once you do that, it will establish a new system for future reference. Don’t worry, this will not affect your relationship with your colleague.

4. Your stress-levels will minimise: Part of the stress people-pleasers feel is due to the fact that they want to please everyone but are unable to manage time. When you’ve agreed to help someone on their project, you tend to worry about whether you’re doing it the right way and whether they will like it when you’re done. If you start saying no, that will be one less thing to worry about.

5. You won’t be the go-to person: Many times people are dragged into doing unnecessary favours because they are the most convenient option. ‘Attend this meeting on my behalf’ or ‘Take a handover from her’ are things we’ve all heard some time or the other. But it is okay to say no if these are not adding value to your work.